Naslov
Spatial and temporal distribution of net nitrite and nitrate production on submersed macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum L.

Autori
Palijan, Goran ; Fuks, Dragica ; Vidaković, Jasna

Izvornik
Fresenius Environmental Bulletin (1018-4619) 18 (2009), 1; 64-69

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Nitrification ; epiphytic biofilm ; Ceratophyllum demersum ; the Danube River floodplain

Sažetak
Net nitrifying activity of epiphytic biofilms was examined on the submersed macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum in the Danube River floodplain Kopački Rit. Macrophytes were collected monthly during the summer 2003. Nitrite and nitrate concentrations were measured after incubation of shoots of different age in the inorganic synthetic media with ammonia salt as the sole source of nitrogen. The net nitrifying activity was significantly higher during the end of the summer, only on the mature shoots. The concentration of both nitrites and nitrates was significantly higher. Consequently, spatial differences in the net nitrifying activity emerged between the shoots of different age. It seems that physical and chemical environment were not the cause of the established differences, as the macrophytes were developed in the vicinity and within the same environmental conditions. Spatial distribution of the net nitrifying activity coincided with the establishment of filamentous epiphytes well-developed only on the mature shoots. Epiphytes probably enhanced the net nitrifying activity by providing new colonization surface. Beside the effect of the new surfaces on the nitrification, the results suggest that it is in relation to the environmental concentration of organic matter.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geologija, Biologija

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